James d



(N0 Medal.)

J. D. HOLLISTER.

TAIL-LIGHT BRACKET FOR RAILROAD, TRAINS. No. 288,058. fatented Nov. 6,1883,

I holder, and to prevent the jarring or shaking ends, when 'tion 5 ofthe bracket.

men TA -ES IATENT JAMES D, HOLLIS'IER, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

SPEGIFICATIONibrming' part of Letters Patent No. 288,058, dated November6, 1883, Application filed July 0,1883. (No model.)

I the convenient attachment and removal of the lantern, or lantern andflag, to and from its of the lantern by the movement of the car.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the inventionapplied to and held by its pocket, and in a position to clasp andsupport the lantern, and also to hold a flag-staff. Fig. 2 shows theinvention lifted or detached from the pocket and opened, for the removalof the lantern. Figs. 3 and etshow a modification, as hereinafterdescribed.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respectiveviews.

A is a pocket or rest, which is secured to the car, and which pocket, asit does not form any part of my invention, and has been heretofore used,need not be specially described.

D is the tail-bracket, which is made in two pieces, hinged ures. hen inthe position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the two parts form an annulus orring, 3), to encircle the lower or other portion of the lantern, whilethe straight parts a, at their united, form a vertical tongue, (2, whichfits in the pocket A, the two halves of the bracket becoming locked inthe act of inserting the tongue in the pocket. The interior oi the ringis preferably, but not necessarily, recessed, asshown ate, and in thegroove so formed springs f are placed, one being shitably secured toeach half of the annular porfree, are of a diameter less than that ofthe ring, but when the lantern is inserted the springs are D mately thediameter of theinterlor of the ring,

which is but slightly greater than that of the together at a in each ofthe rig The springs f, when distended and assume approxt.

cylindrical portion of the lantern to be clasped.

Thus the lantern is inclosed within an elastic ring and the jar of thetrain is softened and not fully transmitted to the lantern, and at thesame time the lantern is kept from rattling. The use of metallic springsof the character shown produces an en'ect different from that producedby the employment of rubber clamps, constructed to entirely surround thelantern, my springs having free ends, which are dis.- tended in the actof closing on the lantern. My metallic springs, when holding thelantern, do not bear upon its entire circumference, but only havebearing at certain points in the circumference, thus giving greaterelasticity than can be obtained by any elastic clamping device whichentirely surrounds the lantern. Thev elastic ring as constructed by mealso admits of the use of lamps of different diameters. It will be seenthat by lifting the bracket from its pocket A and opening the bracket tothe position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 the lantern may be readily detached,and that the bracket n1ay afterward be replaced within its pocket,

and that the act of placing it in its pocket locks the two parts of thebracket together.

E shows a'socket in halves, intended to receive a flag-staff, so thatthe invention may be used either as a lantern or flag-staff support. Thesocket is set at an angle, to give the staff a suitable position. Theinvention may be used either with or without the flag support. V I amaware of devices forming elastic sockets, of substantially annular form,for holding various articles, and also of hinged fiagstaff and otherholders. I am also aware of holders for signal-lanterns, both elasticand hinged, and, also, that such holders have been combined with aflag-staff socket, and such, therefore, I do not broadly claim; but,

Having described my invention, I claim 1. As an improvement inlantern-holders, the combination, with a bracket-ring in halves, hingedtogether, of metallic springs within the ring for holding the lantern inan elastic seat, said springs having free ends, adapting them to bedistended in the act of closing upon the lantern, substantially as setforth.

2. In a lanternholder, an annular socket, a portion of which is adaptedto open, combined with internal metallic springs for holding the i 2essmss as set forth.

3. The combination, with a suitable pocket, of a bracket divided in twosubstantially duplicate parts, and hinged together to form, when closed,a seat for thelantern, said bracket being adapted to be locked inthe'act of fitting it to its socket, and to'be lifted from the pocketand opened for the removal of the lantern, substantially as set forth.

4. A combined lantern and flag'staff-holder, consisting of a bracket intwo parts, hinged together, in each of which is a half-ring for thelantern-holder and a half-socket for the.

flag-holder, Which halves, when the bracket is togetherfor the-pnrposeofproducing a close fit, and preventing tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my jar and rattling,substanhand this 18th day of June, A. D. 1883.

JAMES D. HOLLISTER.

. RVitnesses:

JNo. G. TELFER, THOS. J..BAOON.

